To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for an assessment of the Office for Environmental Protection’s advice on the latest proposals for a revised Nutrients Action Programme.

Mr Muir

I welcome the detailed advice and recommendations that I received from the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) in its response to the consultation on the proposed measures in the revised nutrients action programme (NAP). My Department is carefully considering those recommendations alongside all the other consultation responses. I asked the stakeholder task and finish group, with representatives from the agriculture, environmental and agri-food sectors, to develop proposals that are evidence based, workable at farm level within realistic time frames and meet legislative requirements. I truly appreciate the time and effort that have gone into that process. However, the OEP has raised issues that need to be considered and that will lead to changes to the final NAP proposals. It is imperative that we protect the environment and adhere to the law. Findings from the OEP that non-compliance with nitrogen limits may be widespread and that potentially 1,990 farms may be exceeding that limit are deeply concerning and must be addressed, as must the need to reform slurry exports, as I warned about on 10 June 2025. My officials are working closely with the OEP and stakeholders to finalise the measures in the NAP. I will consider those before taking my final decisions on the updated NAP regulations.

Mr Muir

The consequences are twofold. They are catastrophic, frankly. If we do not address the issues that I have warned the House about repeatedly, we will have a significant issue when it comes to the long-term viability of farming and our international reputation, which we rely upon for trade. We also face the complete and utter collapse of our waterways. It is imperative that we take those decisions. I commend the stakeholders for the work that they have done, and I commend the OEP for its response. I will consider that in the time ahead. We must take action to address the issue, deliver long-term viability and recognise the great work that has been done by farmers to date and the need to go further.

Ms Finnegan

Minister, how are you ensuring that any revised requirements are practical and properly supported for small farmers?

Mr Muir

As I set out, the criteria for the stakeholder group were very clear. We must strive for that, but we also must abide by the law. When we talk about the rule of law, in this role, my focus is not just on criminal law but on environmental law, and it is important that we abide by that. Alongside that, we must support our farmers in the journey ahead, and part of that is about the funding that we are providing, particularly through the sustainable farm investment scheme, the sustainable catchment programme and that Shared Island funding and wider initiatives. I am committed to doing that so that we can ensure that we have a strong and viable future for farming while improving water quality in our rivers, lakes and loughs.

Mr Wilson

There has been plenty of talk in the House today about not going back. Can the Minister confirm that there will not be any going back to the unworkable and unfair NAP proposals, and, as Agriculture Minister, will he ensure that he will protect that industry and work with it constructively to reach a fair settlement that protects the environment and, crucially, the farmer?

Mr Muir

I work night and day to achieve a future that is thriving and resilient and is environmentally sustainable for farming. That is hard, because the challenges are immense, but I am committed to doing that. We want to see measures that are workable at farm level within realistic time frames, but we also want to meet our obligations under the law. The Member will be aware of the previous and current legal challenges against my Department. I need to be mindful of that.